Knock, knock.

"Chloe, your clothes are-" My mum started but I already had gotten out of bed and was running down the stairs.

I felt like some kind of ninja as I jumped over the couch, narrowly dodged the chairs and ducked as I passed our light which was decorated with long crystals.

I opened out front door, greeting the deliverer with a smile. Before he uttered a word I'd already taken the board from him, signing it and taking the delivery out of his hands.

"Thanks!" I called out as he walked away, looking slightly baffled. I didn't even wait to get up to my room, I brought out the scissors I'd kept in my pocket and started cutting the box, eager to see the clothes I'd ordered.

Once it was upon I gently pulled it out, not wanting to rumple the fabric...

And I gazed upon...

A pair of bright green knitted socks?!

"NOOO!" I screamed as I slowly sank to the floor...

"Chloe, wake up! Chloe-"

I abruptly sat up, rubbing my eyes and glancing over at my mum who had a slightly amused expression.

"Mum, I had the worst dream!" I exclaimed.

"I think it's called a nightmare, in that case." She replied.

I ignored her and carried on. "I went downstairs to get my clothes, and when I opened the box, I saw a pair of bright green, knitted socks! Ugh, I was so disgusted-"

"Honey, that wasn't a dream." My mum interrupted. She pulled out a box and opened it, revealing the horrible feet-wear.

"That actually happened."

"NOOO-" I screamed, rolling out of my bed and unto the floor where I proceeded to crawl under my bed.

"Chloe, get out from under there!" My mum exclaimed, but sounded amused. I sneezed, fanning the dust away as I crawled out.

"I'll just give you money for shopping. It'll be good to get to know the town again, won't it?" She said and I squealed, hugging her.

"Thank you, Mum!" I shouted, and she chuckled, pulling away.

"You're welcome honey, but your breath smells bad so go and get ready." She replied and I shrugged, going to the bathroom.

After brushing my teeth and taking a shower I worked on my outfit, knowing I would have to look good in case I saw anyone I knew before. I got dressed in a peach-coloured loose crop top, a black skirt which came up to my ankles, gold sandals, a gold clutch and sunglasses. I applied minimal make up, straightening my hair and putting it into a high ponytail. I kept my necessities in my clutch then set off, planning to buy breakfast wherever.

I didn't realise how much I'd missed America, San Francisco until I actually went out, walking around. I remembered different restaurants parks, stores, I even recognized some people. Soon I arrived at the mall I'd always do my shopping with John, and I entered, looking around in awe. All my favourite stores were still there!

I went in and out, thankful that I'd decided to save up my pocket money and my convincing skills were on point, because I was able to get my mum to give me cash. I bought a lot of cute outfits, but when I was on my way out of the store I bumped into someone, dropping my bags.

"Oh, sorry-" She started but stopped when we made eye contact. I gasped.

"Tobi, is that you?"

"Chloe!" She squealed, hugging me. I laughed, hugging her back just as tight.

Tobi was my girl best friend in middle school. Along with John and some other good friends, we had our own little squad.

I took in her waist-length ombre braids, her mocha skin and her tall, yet curvy figure. Tobi was a bit chubby back in middle school, but true to her word she lost loads of weight.

"Girl, how are you?" She asked, grinning.

"I'm doing good! How about we catch up in the Café just a few shops down?" I suggested and she nodded.

"Yeah, sure, I was just waiting for Maisie-"

"CHLOE WOODS?!"

"And... Here she is." Tobi finished, looking behind me with a grin as someone jumped on me from behind.

"Honey, you're back! Where have you been?" She squealed and I bent down a bit, hugging her.

Maisie was another one of our close friends, part of our little squad. She was pretty short back then for a fourteen year old, and it looked like she'd only grown a few inches taller in the past two years because I still towered over her. She was Asian with dark brown eyes, long jet-black glossy hair (that I was always jealous of) and full dark red lips. Mostly everyone liked her because of her strong, confident attitude.

"I was saying how we should catch up in a Café." I repeated and she nodded, unable to keep that grin off her face.

"Okay girl, but you got a lot of explaining to do once we get there." She replied. I picked up my bags and we left.

*****

"Wait, so she is the exact same?" I asked incredulously.

We were currently seated at a booth in Starbucks (my inner coffee addict girl was calling to me) and discussing how things were ever since I left.

You know how everyone had their one mean girl?

We had ours, the brunette version of Regina George.

Taylor Marisetta. Spanish queen, team leader for volleyball, really popular yet really mean kind of person.

99.999% of her friends were probably fake.

We didn't really talk much, but when we did they were those 'the only reason I'm being civil with you is because you're popular' conversations.

Tobi was explaining how even in High School she still had the same personality, and she was practically the Queen Bee. She also talked about some of our other friends from middle school, how they'd gone to different high schools.

"What about John?" I finally asked, a small smile on my face.

Tobi and Maisie both exchanged looks and sipped their tea, not saying a word.

"What is something wrong?" I asked, a bit suspicious. Tobi brought out her phone and gasped.

"Oh, look at that! I have to go!" She exclaimed. "Nice seeing you again Chloe. Let's exchange numbers."

They both gave me their numbers and I gave them mine. Tobi waved, leaving.

"So anyway, are you dating anyone?" I asked, leaning forward. She started coughing. I patted her back, waiting for her to recover.

"Yeah, I am, but let's not go into details about that." She replied and I nodded, keeping my curiosity at bay.

"Oh, sorry but I need to go. We'll talk later, yeah?" She suddenly said, standing up. I shrugged, waving goodbye.

That was a weird reunion.

I decided it was time to leave so I could start arranging my school outfits, and so I could sort out my stationary and bag I would use.

*****

"So, how was shopping?" My mum asked when we were at the dining table, eating dinner.

"Exhausting." I replied. My arms were aching by the time I got home from all the stuff I was carrying.

"At least you're 'prepared' now, or whatever you called it." She chuckled and I nodded in agreement. We ate in silence for the next ten minutes or so until she mentioned something again.

"Amber and Joe are visiting tomorrow."

"Really?" I asked, surprised. I had an older sister called Amber who ended up marrying her high school boyfriend, Joe. I was pretty young when all this happened and our age gap is pretty big (ten years) but we were still close as sisters.

"Yeah, she wanted to see how we were doing after we left Australia." She replied, her smile fading. I felt mine drop, thinking but to what happened there.

"I had to go through months of therapy because of him." I whispered, hugging myself.

"It's okay, darling. We're far away from him now, he can't get us again." She replied and I nodded, forcing positive thoughts into my head.

"So, did you meet anyone while shopping?" She asked, changing the shopping. I nodded excitedly.

"Yeah, I met Tobi and Maisie! Can you believe it?" I exclaimed.

"Whoa, really?" She said and I nodded.

"I'm so happy I know someone at my new school!"

"That's good. So, I take it you're looking forward to Monday? Only a day left!" She asked.

"Yup, can't wait." I replied, grinning.

And I actually couldn't.

******